Vacation Schemes
Direct Training Contract
Bursary Scheme
Flying Start Programme
Online Work Experience
Campus Ambassador Programme
Open Days
Bird & Bird is an international law firm, with 30 offices across the globe and advising clients from over 120 countries within the last year. London is the biggest office in our international network and our London lawyers get to work with a diverse range of clients and on some great work. It’s fast-paced and can be demanding, but we work as one firm across our international network so we never lose sight of the bigger picture.
We ask the right questions to shape the right objective and we provide, sensible insightful advice on how to get there. We use our sector understanding and legal expertise to unlock the issues and we take a commercial approach when applying the law. We roll up our sleeves and get on board and we’re good people to do business with. If that sounds like you, why not join us?
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For more information, please visit our website.
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Head quarters | London |
Number of Offices | 29 |
Office Locations - Overview |
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Location of Major UK Offices |
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Location of Major International Offices |
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No of Lawyers | 1300 |
Average Trainee Salary | £50,000 |
NQ Salary | £88,000 |
Managing Partner | David Kerr (CEO) |
Training ContractBecoming a trainee at Bird & Bird is the first step to fulfilling your potential and shaping your long-term career. You’ll have responsibility from day one, working for stimulating clients across a range of sectors, in a number of practice areas. However, your relationship with us starts from the moment we make you an offer. We maintain a close relationship with you before starting, so the transition into your formal career is as smooth as possible. You’ll experience four seats in different practice areas for 6-months each during your Training Contract, giving you a rich learning experience and development opportunities. You may also have the opportunity to experience an international or client secondment to enrich your learning. Alongside your seat rotations, you’ll take part in a Learning & Development Programme which will provide the basic building blocks for your future development within the business of law. You can also get involved in Corporate Responsibility initiatives; help with Early Career Programmes; join our firm-wide sports teams; and become a member of our networks and socials. There are 18 positions available each year. Applying to Bird & BirdApplications to our 2024 Direct Training Contract will open Friday 1 April 2022 and close Tuesday 31 May 2022. Please note, we recruit the majority of our future trainees from our Vacation Schemes and would, therefore, urge you to apply for that route. Whilst we do still offer a Direct Training Contract route, we will prioritise applications from career changers and those who are prevented from attending a Vacation Scheme for any other reason. You’re eligible to apply if you can commence a Training Contract in 2024. This means you’ll be in your penultimate-year of a law degree, final-year of a non-law degree, or already graduated by Autumn 2022. If you’ve previously completed a Vacation Scheme with us, you must wait one recruitment year before re-applying. For our Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts, the application process typically includes an online application form on Apply4Law, a psychometric test, a video interview, and an assessment centre. Once you have applied, you’ll receive a confirmation of your received application form. You’ll be notified if your application has been unsuccessful or receive an email regarding the next stage of the application at each stage.
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No of Trainees / Yr | 18 |
Average Retention Rates | 87% |
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Degree class | 2:1 and above (or equivalent) |
A levels | AAB and above (or equivalent) |
IB | No Minimum |
Sponsorship - LPC | Yes |
Sponsorship - GDL | Yes |
Sponsorship - Allowance | Yes |
Assessment Process |
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Vacation Scheme Requirement? |
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Number of Seats | 4 |
Compulsory Seats - Additional comments | You don't have a compulsory seat. You submit your seat preferences and we try to allocate you to one of your top three choices in each seat rotation. |
Secondment Seats | You'll have the opportunity to apply for a client secondment, either in the Media, Entertainment and Sport, Banking, or Technology sector. |
Overseas Seats | You'll have the opportunity to apply for an international secondment, if available at the time. |
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Vacation SchemesOur Vacation Schemes are an opportunity to discover your potential and kick-start your career in law, by strengthening your knowledge, law-specific skills and experience of the legal sector. You’ll have an unfiltered look at the way people work in an international law firm and the impact of client relationships, globally. You can network and socialise with colleagues, immersing yourself in our friendly, vibrant culture. At the end of the scheme, the top performers will be recruited for a Training Contract. There are 30 positions available across two schemes: Spring and Summer. Applying to Bird & BirdApplications to our 2023 Vacation Schemes will open in Autumn 2022. You’re eligible to apply if you can commence a Training Contract in 2025. This means you will be in your penultimate-year of a law degree, final-year of a non-law degree, or already graduated by Autumn 2023. If you’ve previously completed a Vacation Scheme with us, you must wait one recruitment year before re-applying. For our Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts, the application process typically includes an online application form on Apply4Law, a psychometric test, a video interview, and an assessment centre. Once you have applied, you’ll receive a confirmation of your received application form. You will be notified if your application has been unsuccessful or receive an email regarding the next stage of the application at each stage.
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No of Vacation Schemes / yr | 30 |
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Degree class | 2:1 and above (or equivalent) |
A levels | AAB and above (or equivalent) |
Training Contract Interview included? | Yes |
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Open DaysOur Open Days offer a unique insight into life at a city law firm, and the work we do. You’ll experience different sessions, network with lawyers, and have the opportunity to ask questions to the Early Careers Team. Our STEM Open Day and All Degrees Open Day will be in Autumn 2022. We also host/attend a number of law fairs and events. Check out our website and social media (@twobirdsgrads) for updates throughout the year.
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Bursary SchemeThe Bursary Scheme is open to all Year 13 students who meet our criteria. Our Scheme offers a mentoring scheme with our trainees for support and career guidance during your University studies in law; two-weeks work experience in your first-year; workshops and sessions from our Early Careers and Diversity and Inclusion Teams; and Financial Assistance paid in instalments over your time at University. Applications to our Scheme will open Friday 1 April 2022 and close Tuesday 31 May 2022. Our criteria:
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No of Opportunities | 4 |
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Academic requirements | 5 A to A* grades at GCSE (or equivalent) |
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Flying Start ProgrammeOur Flying Start Programme is a two-day experience for those in the early stages of their career, consisting of practical skills sessions, interactive group tasks, insightful talks and presentations, networking events, and Q&A discussions. It is an opportunity for you to explore your interest in the legal industry. You will develop lawyer-specific skills and commercial awareness, network with our lawyers, and add valuable experience to your resume. Applications to our 2023 Flying Start Programme will open in Autumn 2022. This workshop is for those who cannot yet apply to our Vacation Schemes or Direct Training Contract. You are eligible if you are a first-year law undergraduate, or first- or penultimate-year non-law undergraduate student. Online Experience ProgrammeOur Online Experience Programme, in partnership with Forage, is an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the world of an international law firm and discover what life is like as a trainee solicitor. You’ll complete three modules that will:
If you want to research more into the firm or practice completing some work, the programme is a great place to start. No previous experience of law is required. Complete the free, self-paced programme here. Campus Ambassador ProgrammeApplications to our Campus Ambassadors Programme, in partnership with The Lawyer Portal, are open now. You will be the promoters of The Lawyer Portal and Bird & Bird, benefiting from access to exclusive events with Bird & Bird and networking opportunities with our lawyers, Early Careers Team, and fellow students across the country. It is a voluntary work experience opportunity for you to develop your organisation, marketing, communication and leadership skills, and receive regular feedback on your progress throughout the year. |
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